Pearl Cove

Rating:
Summary: Perfect!
Review: Archer is by far my favorite of the Donovans'. He is a man among men. I wish I could have stepped into this one and took Hannah's place. Ms. Lowell will have to go a lonnnnnggggg way to top this man!

Rating:
Summary: Pearl Cove
Review: Pearl Cove was an exciting and riveting novel 2/3 of the way through. Then the heroine, Hannah, gets stupid and stays that way TOO LONG. Archer Donovan, the hero, is an obviously good, strong man...everyone can see that except Hannah. How come? Of course, the audience has the advantage of knowing his thoughts, but the (slightly wimpy) Hannah gets to see him in action first-hand, and she still doesn't seem to know him at all. Strong heroines to go with strong heros are more appealing to me...or at least just momentary lapses...not misjudgements that last 175 pages. Also, the information on pearls is interesting, but probably a lot more than the average reader is really interested in knowing. A little more brains for Hannah and a little less pearl and oyster information would have made the book a real winner

Rating:
Summary: Addictive
Review: Somehow, Pearl Cove was the first of the Donovan stories that I happened to read. I've read it twice in the past month - after reading Amber Beach then Jade Island, I had to reread it to truly appreciate the remarkable family history. Pearl Cove is by far the best of the series (so far). Hannah and Archer heal each others wounded souls and the "romance" scenes - well, crank up the A/C and grab a glass of ice water! Sometimes novelists speed up the romance artificially but because Archer and Hannah already have a history and truly have a need in their souls for each other, this story is totally believable. I just broke my strict rule of waiting for the paperback and ordered Midnight on Ruby Bayou - I just can't wait to get to know more of the Donovans!

Rating:
Summary: I need more!
Review: Not expecting to be more intrigued than I was for Amber Beach and Jade Island, I was fascinated by Pearl Cove! I loved reading about Archer, the toughest Donavan offspring, and his deep love and devotion to his family and Hannah. Between Jake, Kyle and Archer, I continue to be flustered by these books! I have just purchased the fourth in the series and am anxiously awaiting more. Ms. Lowell needs to keep this family going.

Rating:
Summary: The best in the series so far¿.
Review: I have always liked Elizabeth Lowell's writing style (in any of her aliases). Pearl Cove is a wonderfully written, enjoyable suspense story, that keeps you coming back to read more. Hannah and Archer's story might not be the most in depth plot that Ms. Lowell has written, actually it is fairly simple in comparison to her other novels, but the characters seem so real that it is a pleasure to read. We are reunited with the rest of the Donovan family (and reminded that there are more of them, so there will be more books) and updated on the previous stories (which is always nice). Unlike many of the other readers/reviewers out there, I enjoyed learning about pearls (or Jade or Amber - which ever story we've read). To me it shows great depth to the story to explain all the varied complexities of the gem, its conception, its genetics and its manufacture. If we have two specialists, it would make sense that they will talk about pearls in great depth, it is therefore, the author's job to make this discourse interesting, and I think Ms. Lowell succeeds.

Hannah and Archer are well thought out characters; with as much depth to them as the pearls they are hunting. Their backgrounds are explained, showing what makes each the person they are. Hannah has been hurt terribly by Archer's half brother Len, and she just can't get beyond that. In her mind they are too similar, and she doesn't want to take the chance that Archer will completely destroy her (finish the job that Len started.) This is an old plot device, how can you have love if you can't have trust, but the lovers slowly work their way through this problem. My biggest complaint about the story comes in the reversal of Hannah's character. Married to Len she is faithful to the point of prudishness (her employees call her "Saint"), even though their marriage had not been consummated for over 7 years. All of a sudden her husband dies and she is willing to have an illicit affair with her husband's half brother. On top of this, it is just sex, under no circumstances will she marry him. This is such a vault face that I had trouble believing it (even though they were extremely attracted to one another).

The byplay between the family and the secondary characters is interesting to read. The secret world of spying and espionage and all of its many layers are well laid out, even if our leads are not "players". I think it is because they are not players that the story held my interest so much. Most contemporaries written today are about the spy/marine/cop/fed agent/private eye and seem to all be the same. Pearl Cove barely skimmed this literary device, keeping the story believable but not a carbon copy of all the other books out there. Enjoy reading this one!

Rating:
Summary: The Donovans Keep Getting Better!
Review: I have read all three available books in the Donovan series and I have to say that Pearl Cove is the best yet! It centers around Archer, the oldest Donovan sibling, and Hannah, his stepbrothers widow. Archer and Hannah are out to find the Black Trinity, a pearl necklace that is stolen from Hannah and her deceased husband. I think Pearl Cove was so good because in the first two novels Archer seems so "tough". We actually find out that he is a "softie with a big heart". It's hard not to fall in love with him! Pearl Cove was very good reading. It was also great to visit with the other Donovans. Can't wait to read the next one!

Rating:
Summary: Excellent book
Review: I bought Pearl Cove as soon as it was released in hard cover as I so enjoyed the first 2 books in the series. The book is different from the first 2 books in that as the primary characters have a past history. It is similiar, however, in that it is of the same high standard of writing, research and character development. I find that her books portray characters more realistically than other romance writers. Not 100% realistically, of course, because part of the enjoyment of romance is the escape from reality! Other reviewers noted with dismay the details on the pearl industry. I enjoyed the details and how Ms. Lowell used them in her plot development. If you've enjoyed any of her books, you'll enjoy Pearl Cove.

Rating:
Summary: Favourite Author
Review: I have been reading Elizabeth Lowell for years. I have read all of her books that are still in print as both Ann Maxwell and Elizabeth Lowell. Her stories are always full of emotion ( yeah, I admit, sometimes they make it cry) and humor. I cannot wait for the next book in the Donovan series.

Rating:
Summary: Great book with a rushed ending
Review: I have read (and loved) most of her books, including the Donovan series. This book had everything I expected: adventure, an education in the pearl industry, a great hero and heroine, and return appearances by Honor, Jake, Lianne, Kyle, and the rest of the family. My only problem with the book was the ending. It seemed as if the author suddenly remembered a prior engagement and hurried the end of the book. All of a sudden, deus ex machina-like, we're handed the key to the mystery as well as its solution. Just when I was gearing up for a great discovery-chase-fight-win scene, the book ended. Without giving anything away, we're told who did it, why, and that it's all taken care of. Very dissatisfying. Still, the rest of the book (all but the last ten pages) were great. I'd recommend it, but don't be surprised when it ends too suddenly.

Rating:
Summary: You will need a COLD shower after this one!
Review: It never fails to amaze me how deeply Ms. Lowell can make mefeel about her characters. Although I was ready to shoot Hannah forall of her stupidiness (is that a word). I have to say that I was just a little surprised at the language in this book. I don't remember any of her other novels having such "blunt" words. But for this story I think it was needed.

I love the continuing saga of the Donovan's, and have started to read the next installment "Midnight in the Ruby Bayou". Can't wait until we finally see what will happen with Justin and Lawe.